Electronic register circuit



Sept. 27, 1955 w. slx ET AL 2,719,250

ELECTRONIC REGISTER CIRCUIT Filed oct. 1, 1952 AGENT United States Patent O ELECTRONIC REGISTER CIRCUIT Willem Six, Jacobus Domburg, and Johannes Theodorus Antonius van Lottum, Eindhoven, Netherlands, assignors to Hartford National Bank and Trust Company, Hartford, Conn., as trustee Application October 1, 1952, Serial No. 312,526

Claims priority, application Netherlands October 30, 1951 4 Claims. (Cl. 315-166) The invention relates to an electronic register circuit for receiving and recording at least two series of pulses.

vSuch a circuit-arrangement may, for example, be used with an automatic telephone system for recording different digits of a dialled number or in an electrical calculating machine.

In a known circuit-arrangement the register comprises an electronic counting circuit, having a number of gaslled tubes for receiving the pulses. The arrangement is such that the gas-filled tubes are ignited in succession by the pulses, the ignited tube being extinguished when the next following tube ignites, the anode of the tubes being connected to a positive terminal of a voltage supply, the cathode of the tubes being connected via at least one individual resistor to a negative terminal of the supply.

The object of the present invention is to improve such registers. The circuit-arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that provision is made of at least one electronic register circuit comprising a number of gas-filled tubes corresponding to one tube of the counting circuit, each gas-filled tube having a cathode and an ignition electrode, the ignition electrodes being connected each through an integrating network to a point of the cathode resistor of the corresponding tube of the counting circuit, the cathodes being connected via at least one common resistor to a negative terminal of the voltage supply. The arrangement of these points on the cathode resistor of each tube of the counting circuit is such that, when this tube is conductive, the potential difference between the point concerned and the cathode of the corresponding tube of the register circuit exceeds the ignition voltage between the cathode and the ignition electrode of the latter tube, if none of the tubes of the register circuit is conductive and that, if one tube of the register circuit is conductive, the said potential difference is lower than the ignition voltage. Provision is also made of means to extinguish the tubes of the counting circuit, when a tube of the register circuit becomes conductive.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into elfect, it will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing.

The drawing shows diagrammatically a register circuit for use in an automatic telephone system, this circuit being intended for receiving and recording three pulse series, each having maximum of ten pulses, corresponding to three digits of a number to be dialled by a subscriber. The pulses are received in a counting circuit TS, which transmits the lirst digit or the second digit to the electronic register circuit RG1 or RG2 respectively, after which the third digit is retained by the counting circuit TS itself.

The counting circuit TS and the register circuits RG1 and RG2 each comprise ten gas-filled discharge tubes. Of each series of tubes for purposes of simplicity the ligure shows only four. The counting circuit TS comprises, for example, the tubes B10, B11, B12 and B19; the register circuit RG1 comprises the tubes B20, B21, B22 and B29; While the register circuit RGz comprises the tubes 2,719,25ll` Patented Sept. 27, 1955 B30, B31, B32 and B39. The tubes each include a cold cathode k, an ignition electrode f and an anode a, as is shown in connection with the tubes B10, B20, and B30. The ignition voltage between the cathode k and the anode a of the tubes exceeds 180 v., the running voltage between the anode and the cathode is 60 v. and the ignition voltage between the ignition electrode f and the cathode k is 70 v. The anodes a are connected to the positive terminal of the supply battery Ba, the negative terminal of which is connected to ground. The voltage of the battery is 160 v.

The cathodes of the tubes of the counting circuit TS are connected each through an individual resistor R10, R11, R12, and so on, to a point P1, which is connected to ground through resistors R62 and R03. The cathodes of the tubes of the register circuit RG1 are connected through individual resistors R70, R71, and so on, to point Q, which is connected to ground through a resistor R64, and the cathodes of the tubes of the register circuit RG2 are connected through individual resistors R20, R81, and so on to point R, which is connected to ground through resistor Rss.

The cathodes of successive tubes of the counting circuit TS are intercoupled via capacitors C11, C12, C13 and so on. The ignition electrode of the first tube B10 is connected to a tapping of the potentiometer R60, R61, connected between the positive terminal of the battery Ba and ground. The voltage of the tapping is 60 v. and is, consequently, slightly lower than the ignition voltage of the tubes. The ignition electrodes yof the other tubes of the counting circuit TS are, moreover, connected each through a resistor R21, R22 and so on to the cathode k of the preceding tube. In the position of rest of the circuit all tubes are extinguished and the voltages of the cathodes and of the ignition electrodes are equal to zero, with the exception of the voltage at the ignition electrode f of tube B10, which voltage is equal to 60 v.

The dial pulses emitted by a subscribers apparatus (not shown) are supplied with a positive polarity, to the conductor I and transmitted from this conductor through the capacitors C0, C1, C2 and so on to the ignition electrodes f of the tubes of the counting circuit TS. The pulses produce a rise in voltage of 20 v. at the ignition electrode f. Owing to the rst dial pulse the resultant voltage on the ignition electrode f of the tube B10 exceeds the break-down voltage thereof, so that tube B10 is caused to ignite. Thus the voltage at the cathode k of this tube increases to 100 v. whereby point P1 and hence the cathodes and ignition electrodes of the other tubes of the counting circuit TS assume a potential of 40 v. The voltage at the ignition electrode of tube B11, however, increases to l0() V., since this ignition electrode is connected through resistor R21 to the cathode k of tube B10. Tube B11 cannot ignite, since a strong positive pulse is transmitted through capacitor C11 from the cathode k of tube B10 to the cathode of tube B11. After the irst pulse the voltage at the ignition electrode of tube B11, consequently, exceeds that at the ignition electrodes of the other tubes, so that tube B11 assumes a preferred position and is caused to ignite by a next following pulse. Owing to the second dial pulse the voltage at the ignition electrode of tube B11 increases from 100 v. to 120 v., so that a voltage of v. is produced between this ignition electrode and the cathode of tube B11, owing to which tube B11 ignites. The voltage at the cathode k of tube B11 now rises to 100 v., so that on the one hand through capacitor C11 a strong positive pulse is transmitted to the cathode k of tube B10, as a result of which this tube extinguishes, and on the other hand the voltage of the ignition electrode of tube B12 is also raised to 100 v.

In a similar manner tube B12 ignites at the reception of the third pulse, tube B11 extinguishing and so forth. After ICC one pulse, consequently, only tube B10 is conductive; after two pulses, tube B11, after three pulses,` tube B12, and so forth and after ten pulses tube B19 ignites. A dial pulse series cannot contain more than ten pulses. The counting circuit so far described is known per se.

The ten tubes of the counting circuit TS correspond each to a number of incoming pulses of a pulse series. The register circuit RG1 serves to record the iirst digit and the register circuit RG2 to record the second digit. As stated above, the register circuits each comprise ten tubes in accordance with the ten possible values of a digit. The tubes of the register circuits are joined each to one tube of the counting circuit. Thus the tubes B20 and B30 correspond to the tube B10 of the counting circuit and serve to record the digit l. The tubes B21 and B31 correspond to tube B11 of the counting circuit and serve to record the digit 2. The ignition electrodes of the tube of the register circuits are connected each through a resistor R30, R31, R32 and so on, R40, R41, R42 and so on to the cathode of the corresponding tube of the counting circuit TS and are moreover connected to ground via capacitors C21, C22, C23 and so on, C31, C32, C33 and so on. The resistors R30, R31 and so on each form together with the respective capacitors C21, C22 and so on an integrating network.

In the position of rest of the circuit the ignition electrodes and the cathodes of the tubes of the register circuits RG1 and RG2 are at ground potential. The first pulse of the first dial pulse series ignites tube B10, so that the cathode of this tube assumes a voltage of 100 v. The ignition electrode f of tube B20 cannot immediately follow this increase in voltage, owing to the delaying effect of the integrating network R30, C21. The voltage at the ignition electrode thus rises comparatively slowly at a rate determined by the values of the elements R30 and C21 and could tinally exceed the value of the ignition voltage between the iginition electrode f and cathode k of tube B20, so that this tube would ignite. If the first pulse is followed up by a second pulse, tube B10, however, extinguishes after about 1A@ second, since the dial pulses are emitted at a rate of l per second. The voltage at the ignition electrode f of tube B20 cannot attain the value of the ignition voltage during the short time tube B is conductive and after tube B10 has extinguished, it drops to 40 v., so that tube B cannot ignite. It is assumed that the iirst pulse series comprises three pulses. The second dial pulse ignites tube B11, so that the ignition electrode of tube B21 exhibits an increase in voltage. The voltage at the ignition electrode f of tube B21 cannot, however, assume the ignition value, since the second pulse is followed up by a third pulse. The third pulse ignites tube B12 of the counting circuit. Since no further pulse of the first dial pulse series follows, tube B12 remains conductive for a comparatively long time, so that the voltage at the ignition electrode of tube B22 can rise to 70 v., owing to which tube B22 breaks down. The voltage at the cathode of tube B22 rises to l0() v. and that of point Q to 40 v. Capacitor C41 now transmits a strong positive pulse to the ignition electrode f of tube Bd; to this ignition electrode is. supplied an inoperative voltage of 40 v. through the potentiometer Rss, Rs2.

The anode of tube Bd is connected to the positive terminal of the battery and the cathode k is connected to ground through the inductor L and the resistor Rss, shunted by capacitor C43. Tube Bd ignites, but extinguishes immediately thereupon, owing to the impedance included inthe cathode circuit. By the ignition of tube Bda strong positive pulse is transmitted to point P2, so that tube B12` potential, as long as the tubes ofvregister circuit RG1 are.

extinguished, whe it is equal to 40 v., as soon as one of these tubes ignites. The resistors R40, R50; R11, R51, and so on constitute potentiometers between the cathodes of the tubes of the counting circuit TS and the point Q, whereby the Voltage of the ignition electrodes of the tubes of the register circuit RG2 is always lower than the voltage at the ignition electrode of the corresponding tube of register circuit RG1. More particularly, the voltage at the ignition electrode of a tube of register circuit RG2 cannot become equal to v., if the voltage of the corresponding tube of the counting circuit TS is equal to v., as long as point Q has ground potential. If, when the tube B22 ignites, the voltage of point Q rises to 40 v., the voltage at the ignition electrode of tube B32 cannot rise to the ignition value, since immediately thereafter tube B12 of the counting circuit TS extinguishes and the voltage of its cathode drops to 40 v. The desired effect may, as an alternative, be obtained, if the resistors R50, R51, R52 and so on are omitted, in which case the time constants of the delaying circuits R40, C31; R41, C32 and so on, associated with the register circuit RG2, must be chosen to exceed the time constants of the circuits R30, C21; R31, C22 andj so on of the register circuit RG1.

The second pulse series ignites the tubes B10, B11, and so on, of the counting circuit TS again in succession. It is assumed that this series contains two pulses. Sincetube B10 becomes conductive, the tubes B20 and B30 cannot ignite for the aforesaid reasons. At the second pulse the tube B11 ignites and its cathode has a potential of 100 v. for a certain time. However, tube B21 cannot ignite, since the cathode has a voltage of 40 v. In general, a tube of the register circuit RG1 can, consequently, no longer ignite after one of these tubes has become conductive. The voltage at the ignition electrode of tube B31 can now rise above the ignition voltage, since point Q has now assumed a potential of 40 v. Tube B31 consequently ignites and point R assumes the potential of 40 v. Capacitor C42 transmits a strong positive pulse to the ignition electrode f 0f tube Bd, so that this tube becomes again conductive for a short time, owing to which the voltage at point P2 rises to such a value that tube B11 extinguishes.

The third dial pulse series ignites, finally, one of the tubes of the counting circuit TS in accordance with the number of pulses of this series. Although the potential of the cathode of this tube is kept at a high value for a longer time, none of the tubes of the register circuits RG1 and RG2 can ignite, since the cathodes of these tubes have a potential of at least 40 v. The irst pulse series is, consequently, recorded by the register circuit RG1, the second by theregister circuit RG2 and the third by the counting circuit TS, in a manner such that one of the tubes of each circuit is ignited in accordance with the dialled digit, which is recorded by this circuit.

TheV higher cathode voltage of these tubes provides an indication of the digits chosen and may, for example, be used as a marking voltage or for igniting further tubes.

The circuit-arrangement may be rendered suitable, in a simple manner, to record more than three pulse series, by adding additional register circuits, which are arranged accordingly.

While we have thus described our invention with specific examples and embodiments thereof, other modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

What we claim is:

1. Apparatus for receiving and recording at least two series of pulses; said apparatus comprising an electronic counter responsive to said pulses and including a series of gas-filled discharge tubes each having a cathode and an anode, a direct-voltage source, means connecting the anodes of' said tubes to the positive terminal of said source, a common resistor, an individual resistor connecting the cathode of each tube to the negative terminalI of, said, source; through said-` common resistor, and means,

intercouph'ng said series of tubes for successive ignition by said pulses; at least one electronic register including a series of gas-lled discharge devices corresponding in number to the tube series of said counter, each device having a cathode and an ignition electrode, a common resistance connecting the cathode of said devices to the negative terminal of said source, and an individual integrating network connecting the ignition electrode of each device to a point in the individual cathode resistor of the corresponding tube in the counter, which points are positioned on the individual cathode resistors of said counter tubes to provide in the conductive condition of a given tube a potential difference between the point in question and the cathode of the corresponding discharge device in the register which is higher than the ignition voltage between the cathode and ignition electrode of this device in the event none of the register devices is conductive, but said potential difference is lower than the ignition voltage if one register device is conductive; and means coupled to said register and responsive to the ignition of a device therein to extinguish the tubes in the counter.

2. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, comprising first and second registers, and individual resistance elements connecting the respective ignition electrodes of the devices in the second register to a point on the common cathode resistance of the devices in the rst register.

3. Apparatus, as set forth in claim l, wherein said means to extinguish the counter tubes comprises an additional gas-lled tube having an ignition electrode and a cathode, the ignition electrode being coupled to a point in the common cathode resistance in the register, said cathode being connected to a point in the common resistor in the counter.

4. Apparatus for receiving and recording at least two series of pulses; said apparatus comprising an electronic counter responsive to said pulses and including a series of gas-lled discharge tubes equal in number to the digits in the pulse series, each tube having a cathode and an anode, a direct-voltage source, means connecting the anodes of said tubes to the positive terminal of said source, a common cathode resistor, an individual resistor connecting each cathode to the negative terminal of said source via said common resistor, and means intercoupling said series of tubes to effect successive ignition thereof by said pulses; first and second electronic registers each including a like series of gas-filled devices provided with a cathode and an ignition electrode, a common resistance connecting the cathodes of said devices to the negative terminal of said source, an individual integrating network connecting the ignition electrode of each device to a point in the individual cathode resistor of the corresponding tube in the counter, which points are positioned on the individual cathode resistors of said counter tubes to provide in the conductive condition of a given tube, a potential dierence between the point in question and the cathode of the corresponding register device which is higher than the ignition voltage between the cathode and ignition electrode of the device in the event none of the register devices is conductive, but said potential difference is lower than the ignition voltage if one register device is conductive, and individual resistance elements connecting the respective ignition electrodes of the devices in the second register to a point on the common cathode resistance of the devices in the rst register; and means responsive to the ignition of a register device to extinguish the tubes in the counter and including an additional gas-filled tube having an ignition electrode coupled to a point in the common cathode resistance of said registers and a cathode connected to a point in the common cathode resistor in the counter.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,623,108 Holden Dec. 23, 1952 

